Fence-post



' by declare that the following is a full, clear,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMANUEL PONTIUS, OF NEW BERLIN, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,843, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed March 15, 1881.

citizen of the United States, residing at New Berlin, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereand exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is an elevation of myinvention, with the base,wedge or key, and the lower end of the post in section. Fig. 2is a sectional view of the base disconnected from the post and wedge or key. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the post; Fig. 4, a sectional view of the wedge or key; and Fig. 5, an under side elevation of the base.

The present invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in that class of fence-posts which are held firml yin the ground by a broad base, which base is lowered or sunk in theground and the opening around the post above the base filled to alevel with the groundsurface and packetl, so as to prevent the post from leaning or tipping.

The object of the present invention is to chea-pen and improve the construction of the post-base, and means of securely holding it thereto in a perpendicular position, whereby a strong and durable connection is made between the post and base. These objects I attain by the construction substantially as shown in the drawings, and hereinafter described.

In the aocompanyingdrawin gs, A represents the post, having the flaring head B, of such shape and size as to snugly fit the openingF in the base G, said opening being also flaring, to correspond with the inclined or flaring sides of the head. A key or wedge, D, holds and (No model.)

retains the head B of the post within the opening F.

In connecting the post to the base it is essential that the opening E should pass through one side of the base, so that the head of said post may be inserted laterally through the side until it is seated within the opening F, which also passes through the side of the base. After the post has been thus connected to the base G it is held firmly thereto by the wedge D, which is'slipped laterally through the side of the base into the opening E.

Although I do not desire to confine myself to any special material from which to construct the post, base, and wedge or key, yet I prefer that they be made of hard-burned clay, or other plastic material that can be molded into shape and afterward hardened by burning.

The base G may be of any suitable form that will present a large surface, so that when lowered or sunk in the ground and the earth placed over it the post and base will be firmly held in position, while the key or wedge will be held firmly against the lower side of the head of the post, thereby providing a perfect and substantial support for it. I

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The base G, having flaring openings E F, in combination with the post A, having flaring head B, and the key or wedge D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

- In testimony that- I claim the above 1113MB hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

EMANUEL PONTIUS.

Witnesses FREDRIGH W. BOND, A. O. GOODMAN. 

